Kyran Young, a 19-year old Zimbabwean who now lives in the UK, saw an article in The Telegraph in 2013 about poachers poisoning elephants with cyanide so that they could easily steal their tusks; Kyran was profoundly disconcerted and was inspired to take action on behalf of species that are on the brink of extinction. “That article still hangs on my fridge and it reminds me every day that there is a war going on, that humans can be cruel, but more than anything, that animals are helpless to the relentless threat of man.” While he clearly cares about all animals, he looked at the numbers and realized that mountain gorillas are some of the most critically endangered species and there is very little time left to protect wild populations.

Human primates = 7,000,000,000+ Mountain gorillas = approximately 800

Many people from affluent, i.e., over-consumptive, societies choose to look away or not even think about the planet and her endangered creatures, but this is a much more nuanced picture. Local people, particularly in the regions where the last mountain gorillas live, are struggling to survive and there are greedy individuals and corporations that are all too willing to ignore long-term community benefits and grab resources for a quick gain. In addition, illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the largest trades globally and it is increasingly not the local individual trying to feed his or her family who is behind this nefarious trade, but organized militias and terrorist groups.

In this incredibly complex human-created power struggle, the beauty and natural simplicity of the gorillas and their daily life in family troops stands in stark contrast. Real beauty and simplicity need courageous defenders like Kyran, who plans to start walking the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada, in May 2015 to raise funds for the UK-based The Gorilla Organization, which has been a leader in community-based conservation for around 25 years. Here is our interview with Kyran:

Endeavour 360, a UK-based archive of news and inspiration from the world of adventure travel with a motto that you are personify -- “Find a Way, Or Make One” -- recently featured you in a Q&A that covered many key questions. In the interest of not repeating, let’s cover some different ones. While many people love their pets, not as many are as passionate about or aware of wild animals. Why do you think some people pay attention to and act on behalf of endangered species?

I find there’s is a big difference between watching your dog running around the garden than watching an elephant or chameleon or even a termite roam its natural habitat, there is a mystery and magic in it. From growing up in Zimbabwe, I learnt quite early on that we share this planet with some very incredible animals big and small, and I think I would feel partly responsible if that were not the case anymore. Anger is also my motivator. I feel angry when I hear an elephant has been murdered for his teeth, or a gorilla for his hands.

You have found a wonderful mentor in renowned field biologist and conservationist Ian Redmond, Chairman of The Gorilla Organization. In this video you produced, he discusses the complex and hard-to-predict threats that gorillas face. What do you think is the worst of the threats currently?

For mountain gorillas it was (until recently) oil exploration, but thanks to conservational efforts and the oscar nominated movie ‘Virunga’, the British oil company SOCO has left the area, although there is still always the danger of another company taking its place. Although I am no expert on the matter, I think loss of habitat, fragmentation of habitat and direct poaching are the main threats all gorillas face. The human population is growing at a very rapid rate, and because of increasing human encroachment and the destruction of forest for resources or agriculture, gorillas have begun to run out of space to live. As for poaching, many gorillas are killed for bushmeat or body parts sold for questionable medicinal purposes or trophies.

An estimated 800 mountain gorillas live in the wild in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda. Recently, the phenomenal documentary, Virunga, brought attention to the complex situation in the DRC where a small team of dedicated individuals is bravely risking their lives to defend the gorillas and their habitat from poachers and greedy corporations. There is daunting uncertainty for the gorillas in all three countries. Do you know how the three countries compare in terms of threats, levels of community support and resources?

From what I have gathered, Uganda and Rwanda are generally regarded as safer places for tourists, and because more tourists means more money, the threats to the mountain gorillas decrease. However, that is not to say rangers in these two countries are not constantly dealing with traps, forest destruction and poaching attempts. The DRC is different, rebel groups have been operating for years in the area and so it can be very dangerous for gorillas and rangers alike, with over 140 rangers having been killed so far protecting the mountain gorillas. Charities such as the Gorilla Organisation and countless other are doing all they can to increase community support and resources, but unfortunately I do not know by how much this differs on the three sides of the border.

You are a young person who is coming of age when many species are on the brink of extinction. With our socially connected world, possibilities for collective action are enormous, but the problems we face are dismaying. Many people who are in a position to do something choose to look away or not even think about the planet and her endangered creatures, but you are boldly taking action. Are you considering a career in conservation?

Definitely! If I only had one year to live this is exactly what I would be doing, and I hope I can do it in years to come on a much grander scale. But like you say, if everyone acted just a little every day the results would be monumental.